Why a shell is not smooth (specimen 13523)

Under the spot light
translucence is my home.
Flesh and oil explored, exploited.
Geochelone Elephantopus
banished to comets and stars
space dust for millionaires.
This carapace remains with you,
a reminder, a laminate,
a comb for fine golden hair
a treasure in a sarcophagus.
Now the birds have lent feathers
I can fly into the sky feast
I can fly from such hard bone.